Lillian's Nursery

One of the best decisions I made was to book a newborn photo session for soon after Lillian was born. Not only did we get some sweet pictures of Lillian and our new family of four, but Lisa Marie snapped some great pictures of Lillian's nursery. All pictures by the wonderful Lisa Marie Bloom of Sweet Tea Photography.






See previous post for sources.

Lillian's Nursery Inspiration

When I was pregnant with Thomas, I had big plans for his nursery. Well, those plans went no where as we decided to buy a house and do some pretty significant renovations when I was 7 months pregnant. So instead of a cute nursery, poor guy had a bare bulb hanging from his ceiling for longer than I want to admit.

Fast forward almost two years; we found out we were expecting a girl. At this point, we were through with Renovations 1.0, so I was able to plan and install a proper nursery for Lillian. The concept came together pretty easily, as I was inspired by the "strawberry room" at my grandparents farm where I stayed growing up.



The fabric (Schumacher Wild Strawberry, I think) was discontinued years ago, but amazingly, after making curtains, bedding, accent pillows and even a custom suitcase stand for the original strawberry room, there was a small piece left. Lillian's room couldn't be enveloped in strawberries, but it was the inspiration.



Restoration Hardware Tatum Wide Dresser & Topper Set // Existing Gilder: Crate & Barrel Hathaway // Existing Table Floor Lamp: Jonathan Adler Meurice // Existing Crib: Room & Board Moda Crib // Pink Pouf from Wayfair No Longer Available // BlaBla Pink Birds Mobile No Longer Available // Existing Curtain Rods: Restoration Hardware Estate Metal Collection // Collins Rug from Lulu & Georgia No Longer Available // Art from art.com: Fraise and Berries by Kelly Ventura

Dining Room Banquette Fabrics

I have always wanted a dining banquette. When we were looking at houses, that was one of the first things I looked for-- is there a spot to put a banquette. After close to 4 years (!!) in our house, we are planning to add a dining area banquette. To say I'm excited is an understatement (this banquette, basically a bench, better live up to my years of anticipation). Plans are still underway, but I am jumping ahead to the fun stuff-- fabrics! The first shocker-- I'm trying to embrace color. So far our house (and my closet for that matter) is grey, white and black. These fabrics definitely do not fit into that palette, but I think they'll be a nice layer of color on top of the foundation we currently have. I'm leaning towards Schumacher's Citrus Garden in Pool as the main fabric and then I need some other accent fabrics. Contenders shown above. Very 2017 (!) of me, but I've only selected these fabrics from online pictures. I'm going to be old fashion and meet them all in person this weekend.

Lillian's Baby Book... Done!

What's awesome? I finished Lillian's Baby Book (birth to her first birthday)! The problem? Thomas is going to ask where his is. I don't think telling the threenager that he doesn't have a baby book will go over well. So I guess this is the motivation I need to make him a book.

You might be wondering why I've finished Lillian's book and barely started Thomas'? Because I made Lillian's using my iPhone.  Instead of wasting time in the depths the Daily Mail while I was waiting at the doctor, standing in line at the grocery, waiting for school pick-up, etc, I did a page or so of her book (title pages below). 


I have the Project Life and LetterGlow apps to thank (thank you!).  I used the Project Life App for the page layouts and used LetterGlow for any of the lettering. If anyone's interested in more details, let me know and I'll do a more detailed post!

Fall Play Clothes for Thomas

Annnnnnnnd I'm back! I've missed my creative outlet and documentation of life. I so enjoyed looking back through my old posts (although there are definitely lots that are cringe worthy) and remembering moments I'd forgotten. So here I am again and hopefully it won't be 2 years and 8 months before I post again.

Buying clothes for kids is fun and so different than buying clothes for myself. Each season, they need a new wardrobe since they've outgrown the clothes from the prior year. That means-- I get to go shopping! I quickly realized that a little planning, goes a long way in getting maximum wear out of the clothes which is ideal since they'll only be around for one season.



1, 2, 3 Boden Kids // 4 Carters // 5 Gap Kids // 6 Carters // 7 Gap Kids // 8, 9, 10 Old Navy // 11 Boden Kids // 12 Gap Kids // 13 Tea Collection // 14 Old Navy // 15 Carters

Exterior Entry - Before and Progress

While this might look like a simple before and progress (remember, it takes a while to truly be an "after"), this has evolved since we bought the house. First, I ripped off the storm door before I could even get a picture. And by "I ripped", I mean "I had someone rip". My excuse is that I was 7 months pregnant and in the midst of tax season.

Before I hosted a baby shower this summer (nothing like a deadline!), we had the front door painted and the little jail bars removed from the window.

Most recently, Dad popped off the shutters (yes, "pop" is the proper adjective as it turns out they were affixed with plastic screws), George, our resident electrician, removed the spotlight and put up a new light fixture, and Andy painstakingly put up new house numbers (there are 4 numbers in real life) and a new mailbox.

Kitchen Inspiration

Our plan with the kitchen was to make the best of what we had, but that was a tall order considering what the kitchen looked like. More details on the actual renovation later this week with some before and progress shots, but in the meantime, here are my inspiration images.


top left Tommy Smyth - Photographer: Michael Graydon // top right Coastal Living 2009 Idea House - Designer: Phillip Sides - Photographer: Tria Giovan - Stylist: Heather Chadduck // bottom left Renovator's Notebook: Stunning Kitchen Makeover - Homeowner: Isabella Cairess Favaro - Photographer: Jason Stickley - Featured on House & Home Blog // bottom right House & Home February 2012 - Designer: Stacy Begg - Photographer: Michael Graydon


top left Margot Austin - Photography: Donna Griffith - Via Newlywed Diaries // top right A Country Farmhouse // bottom left This & That Blog // bottom right House Beautiful - Ina Garten 2009 Kitchen of the Year in Rockefeller Center - Photography: Julian Wass